Obasanjo congratulates Buhari, asks him to fight corruption

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated the Presidential candidate of the All progressives congress Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd,,) on his victory in the presidential poll, charging him to fight corruption and carry out reforms in different sectors.

The congratulatory message was made available to our correspondent at Abeokuta on Tuesday following Buhari victory in the March 28 presidential election.

Obasanjo, who noted that so much harm had already been done to many national institutions, including the military, however, advised him to be magnanimous in victory.

He said, “With so much harm already done to many national institutions including the military, which proudly nurtured you and me, you will have a lot to do on institution reform – education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, power, youth employment, agri-business, oil and gas, external affairs, cohesiveness of our nation and ridding our land of corruption.

“Your varied and wide experience will undoubtedly stand you in good stead.”

The former president said the country “is blessed with men and women of goodwill, character and virtue across the board that you can mobilise to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and re-direction that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on the fast lane of good governance, unity, cohesiveness, development and progress.”

Obasanjo noted that Buhari’s victory, after three previous unsuccessful attempts, must be a great lesson to himself and for all politicians, particularly in Nigeria.

He said, “For me, the totality of 2015 elections hold many lessons for our democracy and democratisation process, which are both maturing.

“On this occasion, the system has been unnecessarily overheated before and particularly during the campaigns when emphasis was more on trivialities and hate, divisive, undignifying and disrespectful statements and comments rather than on pressing issues requiring attention.

“I know that in victory, you will be magnanimous to start binding the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaign and the evil disciples.”